Adjustable body guard

ABSTRACT

An adjustable body guard (ABG) ( 10 ) that is designed to be attached, by an attachment means ( 46 ), to the side rails ( 70 ) as found on most hospital beds ( 72 ). The ABG ( 10 ) consists of an elongated resilient section ( 12 ) having a quarter-circle cross-section and that has two or three articulated sections ( 24, 26, 28 ) which allow the ABG ( 10 ) to be positioned to conform to the position in which a bed-confined patient is lying on the bed ( 72 ) or to the articulations of an adjustable hospital bed ( 72 ). Thus, the ABG ( 10 ) adds comfort and provides a degree of safety to the patient. For hygiene and to prevent the ABG ( 10 ) from being soiled, a washable full or partial cover ( 60, 62 ) is preferably placed over the ABG ( 10 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention pertains to the general field of pillows, bolstersand other body props, and more particularly to an adjustable body guardthat is placed between a person lying in a hosptial-type bed and thebed's side rails.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Specially-designed beds for use by injured or non-ambulatorypersons have been in use for a long time. The most common example ofthis type of bed is the hospital bed. Typically, a hospital bed issingle-sized with electrically-powered means for raising and loweringboth the lower or upper leg section, and/or the torso section.Additionally, there are usually side rails on each side of the bed.These rails are used to prevent a patient from accidentally rolling offthe bed, and therefore are constructed from a strong, rigid materialsuch as metal.

[0003] A hospital bed with the rails raised may prevent a patient fromrolling out of bed, but it may also cause sheet entanglement, painfulcontact with the metal rails, patient's limbs being caught in the rails,or underweight patients slipping through the rails. Some patients preferto remove or lower the rails to increase comfort, thus nullifying theirsafety and effectiveness.

[0004] There have been attempts to remedy this situation by the use ofpillows or other similar items, which are placed parallel to the patienton either or both sides. Unfortunately, the majority of these remedieshave not completely alleviated the problem. Obviously, if there weresome way to provide a bed-confined individual with the necessary safetyrequirements, while at the same time providing a comfortable andpositionable adjustable body guard, it would be a benefit to bothpatients and those who care for them.

[0005] A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that readdirectly on the claims of the instant invention, however the followingU.S. patents are considered related: U.S. Pat. No. INVENTOR ISSUED6,067,679 Rice 30 May 2000 5,815,863 Dolisi 23 September 1997 3,938,205Spann 17 February 1976

[0006] The U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,679 discloses a prop to hold a patient onhis/her side while in a hosptial bed in which a standard-sized hopsitalpillow is stowed in a rolled condition within a launderable sleeve. thesleeve has a flap that is tucked beneath the patient's side which allowslimited patient rolling movement against the prop which contributes topatient comfort. The flap also keeps the prop close to the patient sothat drastic movements which could cause injury do not occur.

[0007] The U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,863 discloses a lateral slumber supportwedge for supporting a user, such as a pregnant woman, in a lateralslumber support, while lying down on eithr the left side or the rightside. The wedge provides compressible, but firm support for the spineand pelvic region of the user. The wedge has a triangular cross section,and an interior body made of foam, which can provide support, but whichconforms to the spinal and pelvic regions of the user. The wedge alsoincludes a fabric cover which is permanently sewn to a bed sheetdividing the sheet in half so it can be used by the user laying oneither the left or right side.

[0008] The U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,205 discloses a body positioner that isformed from a block of polyurethane foam having resilientcharacteristics capable of deformation and of permitting the passage ofair. The posiioner has an unsymmetrical pentagonal cross-section and alength substantially greater than its width so that the positioner canbe rotated to provide for a variety of adjustable continuous positioningsupport surfaces.

[0009] For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which theinvention is related reference may be made to the remaining citedpatents. U.S. Pat. No. INVENTOR ISSUED 5,179,744 Foster, et al 1 January1993 4,502,169 Persson 5 March 1985 4,215,446 Mahoney 5 August 19803,430,272 Thorn 4 March 1969 3,148,387 Sarni, et al 1 September 1964

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The adjustable body guard, (hereinafter ABG), is designed to beattached to the side of a bed, and more particularly to a set of siderails, which are found on many hospital beds. The ABG includes a propthat is designed to be attached to left side rails and a prop that isdesigned to be attached to right side rails. Each ABG is comprised of anelongated, resilient section that can be made with two articulatedsections or preferably with three articulated sections. When the threesection ABG is attached to the side rails, the three sections can bepositioned to conform to a person lying on the bed.

[0011] The articulated ABG functions to prevent a patient from rollingoff the side of the bed, to reduce sheet entanglement and to preventpain that occurs when a patient repeatably makes contact with the hardmetal side rails. The ABG prevents a patient's limb(s) from being caughtin the rails, and underweight persons from slipping or partiallyslipping through the rails.

[0012] The ABG has a quarter circle cross-section with the radiusedportion facing the patient. Although the quarter circle is preferred,the ABG can, for special cases, be made with circular or ellipticalcross-sections. Additionally, to protect the ABG from being soiled, afull or partial cover can be attached over the ABG. The cover ispreferably made of a washable material such as cotton or flannel, toassure hygiene.

[0013] In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of theinvention is to produce an ABG that is easy to use, to maintain and thatcan be articulated to conform to the body of a bed-confined patient andto the articulation of an adjustable hospital bed.

[0014] In addition to the primary object of the invention, it is also anobject of the invention to produce an ABG that:

[0015] prevents a patient from placing their arms and/or legs betweenthe mattress and the bed rail,

[0016] can prevent moving arms and legs from striking the metal bedrails,

[0017] can be used as a pillow,

[0018] adds comfort and security to a patient lying in bed,

[0019] can be dimensioned to accommodate most patients,

[0020] is durable,

[0021] maintains the bed sheets and blankets in a tucked position,

[0022] can be made in different materials and colors, and

[0023] is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's pointof view.

[0024] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of thepreferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ABG having an elongated,resilient section with a one-quarter circle cross-section and having twoarticulated sections.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an elongated resilientsection having a circular cross-section.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an elongated resilientsection having an elliptical cross-section.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an ABG two articulatedsections divided by a partial lateral cut that is supported by means ofreinforced tape and wherein the support is enclosed within a protectivecover.

[0029]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a ABG having a firstarticulated section, a second articulated section and a thirdarticulated section, wherein the articulated sections are reinforced bya tape.

[0030]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of an ABG shown on the leftside of the figure that is attached to a vertical support by utilizingstraps, and on the right side attached to a bed by means of acomplimentary pair of hook and loop fasteners.

[0031]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an ABG shown attached to the rail ofa hospital bed. On the left side is shown an ABG having threearticulated sections, and on the right side an ABG having twoarticulated sections.

[0032]FIG. 8 is a front elevational and cross-sectional view of an ABGthat is fully enclosed by a protective cover that may include amultiplicity of accupressure protrusions.

[0033]FIG. 9 is a front elevational and cross-sectional view of an ABGthat is partially enclosed by a protective cover.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0034] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented interms of a preferred embodiment for an adjustable body guard(hereinafter “ABG 10”). The ABG 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-9, is adapted tobe attached to a bed and more particularly to a side rail 70 as used onhospital bed 72. the ABG 10 allows a person lying on the bed to becomfortably protected from accidently rolling off the bed, gettingcaught between the rails and the mattress or being injured by the siderails 70. The ABG 10 is comprised of the following major elements: anelongated, resilient section 12, a positioning means 20, a firstarticulated section 24, a second articulated section 26, a thirdarticulated section 28, a section/bed attachment means 40, and a full orpartial protective cover 56 or 58.

[0035] The ABG 10 is made in two configurations. One ABG 10 isconfigured to be attached to a left side rail 70 and the other to beattached to a right side rail 70. the two configurations are mirrorimage of each other. Therefore, for purpose of the disclosure the ABGdescribed is deemed to encompass both a right and left ABG 10.

[0036] The elongated resilient section 12 is constructed from a materialsuch as polyurethane, which passes CMHR flammability regulations for thehospitality industry which includes hospitals and hotels. The elongatedresilient section 12 is preferably designed to have a quarter-circlecross section 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. However, a circular crosssection 16, as shown in FIG. 2, or an elliptical cross section 18, asshown in FIG. 3, can also be utilized. Typically, the overall length ofthe ABG 10 is 48 inches (121.9 cm), and the width and height are each 7inches (17.8 cm). With the preferred design having three articulatedsections, the first section 20, that is the section adjacent theperson's head is 18 inches (45.7 cm), the second section 26 is also 18inches (45.7 cm), and the third section 28 is 12 inches (30.5 cm).Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the width of the resilient section 12can be the full width of 7 inches (17.8 cm), as shown by the solid line,or can be less, such as 3.5 inches (8.8 cm). The shorter width can beused to accommodate a person who may be overweight.

[0037] the articulated sections function as the positioning means 20 toposition the elongated, resilient section 12 to conform to the positionof a body when the body is laying on a bed. the positioning means 20 canbe comprised of the elongated resilient section 12 having at least onepartial lateral cut 64, which divides the resilient section 12 into afirst section 24 and a second section 26, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4; orthe elongated, resilient section 12 can have at least two partiallateral cuts 22, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, which divide the resilientsection 12 into three articulated secitons: a first section 24, a secondsection 26 and a third section 28. Note that in FIG. 5, the two partiallateral cuts 22 that divide the resilient section 12 into threearticulated sections 24, 26, 28 are cut from opposite sides, whichcauses the first and third articulated sections 24, 28 to articulate inopposite directions as referenced from the second section 26. thearticulated sections allow the ABG 10 to conform to the position of apatient and to the position of the articulations of the hospital bed 72.

[0038] The articulated sections are articulated by creating a partiallateral cut 22 into the section 12 as shown best in FIGS. 4 and 5. Inorder to maintain the structural integrity of the articulated sections,a strip of reinforcement adhesive tape 36 can be applied to the un-cutend of the sections, as also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5; or a piece offabric 38 can be attached by an adhesive or by stitching, as also shownin FIG. 5.

[0039] The section/bed attachment means 40 is utilized to secure theelongated, resilient section 12 to the side rails 70 of a bed 72, asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7. One of the attachment means 40 can consist of aplurality of straps 42, each having a first end 44 that is attached tothe section 12 by an attachment means 46, anda second end 48 that can beattached to a second strap by means of a looped tie 50, a pair of hookand loop fasteners 52, or complimentary pair of male and female detents54, or a quick-release buckle 56. If a vertical support is notavailable, the attachment means 40 can consist of a combination hook andloop fastener 52 that is attached between the lower side of the section12 and the bed 72, as also shown in FIG. 6.

[0040] In order to protect the elongated resilient sections from bodyfluids or excessive wear, the section 12 is preferably treated with aliquid-repellant formulation 58, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, orin combination with the formulation 58, a full cover 60, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 8, or a partial cover 62, as shown in FIG. 9, can beutilized. The full cover 60 is preferably attached by a zipper 64, andthe partial cover 62 by an elastic band 66. In either configuration, thecover is preferably made of a washable flannel or cotton. However, thecover in some situations can be made of a light plastic.

[0041] Additionally, the cover 60 or 62 may include a multiplicity ofprotrusions 68, as also shown in FIG. 8, which aid in providingaccupressure therapy.

[0042] While the invention has been described in complete detail andpictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limitedto such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to theinvention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof.Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms thatmay come within the language and scope of the appended claims.

1. An adjustable body guard adapted to be attached to a bed structure,said adjustable body guard comprising: a) an elongated, resilientsection having at least one partial lateral cut that divides saidresilient section into a first articulated section and a secondarticulated section, b) means for positioning said adjustable body guardto conform to the position of a body lying on the bed and to thearticulations of an adjustable bed, and c) means for attaching saidadjustable body guard to the bed structure.
 2. The adjustable body guardas specified in claim 1 wherein the bed structure is complrised of aside rail that is attached to a hospital bed.
 3. The adjustable bodyguard as specified in claim 1 wherein said resilient section has twopartial lateral cuts, cut from opposite sides, that divide saisresilient section into three articulated sections consisting of a firstarticulated section, a second articulated section and a thirdarticulated section, wherein the first and third articulated sectionsarticulate in opposite directions as referenced from the second section.4. The adjustable body guard as specified in claim 1 wherein saidresilient section having three partial lateral cuts that divide saidresilient section into four articulated sections.
 5. The adjustable bodyguard as specified in claim 3 wherein said resilient section is madefrom a polyurethane.
 6. The adjustable body guard as specified in claim5 wherein the polyurethane passes CMHR flammability regulations for thehospitality industry, which includes hospitals and hotels.
 7. Theadjustable body guard as specified in claim 3 wherein said resilientsection has a quarter-circle cross-section having a curved surface thatfaces inward, a substantially flat lower surface, and a substantiallyflat outer surface.
 8. The adjustable body guard as specified in claim 3wherein said resilient section has a circular cross-section.
 9. Theadjustable body guard as specified in claim 3 wherein said resilientsection has an elliptical cross-section.
 10. The adjustable body guardas specified in claim 3 wherein to the uncut ends of the partial lateralcuts on the articulated section(s) is applied a strip of a reinforcementmaterial to maintain the structural integrity of the articulatedsection(s).
 11. The adjustable body guard as specified in claim 3wherein the reinforcement material is comprised of a reinforcementadhesive tape or a piece of stitched fabric.
 12. The adjustable bodyguard as specified in claim 2 wherein said means for attaching saidadjustable body guard to the side bed rail comprises a combination hookand loop fastener that is attached between said adjustable body guardand the side rails.
 13. The adjustable body guard as specified in claim2 wherein said means for ataching said adjustable body guard to the sidebed rail comprises a plurality of straps having a first end and a secondend that are attached to said resilient section, wherein the two endsare wrapped around the side rails and secured thereto by a looped tie.14. The adjustable body guard as specified in claim 13 wherein the twoends of said strap are secured by a complimentary pair of male andfemale detents.
 15. The adjustable body guard as specified in claim 13wherein the two ends of said strap are secured by a complimentary paidof hook and loop fasteners.
 16. The adjustable body guard as specifiedin claim 3 wherein said means for positioning said adjustable body guardto conform to the shape of the body is provided by laterally positioningsaid articulated sections to conform to the position of a person lyingon the bed.
 17. The adjustable body guard as specified in claim 3wherein said resilient section is treated with a liquid-repellantformulation.
 18. The adjustable body guard as specified in claim 3further comprising a full or partial fitted cover that is attached by anattachment means over said adjustable body guard.
 19. The adjustablebody guard as specified in claim 16 wherein said cover attachment meanscomprises a zipper or an elastic band.
 20. An adjustable body guardadapted to be attached to a side rail as found on a hospital bed, saidadjustable body guard comprising: a) an elongated resilient sectionhaving a quarter-circle shape with a curved inner surface that faces abody lying on bed, a substantially flat lower surface and asubstantially flat outer surface, with said resilient section having atleast two partial lateral cuts that are cut from opposite sides todivide said resilient section into three articulated sections,consisting of a first section, a second section and a third section,wherein the first and third sections articulate in opposite directionsas reference from the second section, to allow said adjustable bodyguard to be positioned to conform to the position of the body lying onthe bed, b) a fitted cover that is attached, by an attachment means,over the said elongated resilient section, and c) means for attachingthe covered said adjustable body guard to the side rails.